Physical, laboratory, and microbiological parameters of mammary gland secretions in postpartum does

Abstract

Mastitis is a multifactorial disease whose prevalence is affected by the type of pathogenic agent involved, the constitution of the animal, and environmental conditions. This study evaluated the physical and laboratory characteristics of colostrum from dairy goats in the postpartum period, and the physical characteristics of the mammary glands in the same period. Of the 71 mammary glands evaluated, 12 were positive for bacterial isolates and the most frequent pathogenic agents were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) (n = 11). Median somatic cell counts (SCC) in animals positive for bacterial isolates were greater than in animals without bacterial isolates at parturition (696.0 vs. 256.0 x 103 mL –1) and 48 h postpartum (1,350 vs. 437.0 x 103 mL-1). In addition, 34 samples were positive for the California Mastitis Test (CMT; score >1+), indicating a positive relationship between this test and bacterial isolation. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were the most prevalent pathogenic agents, resulting in increase in SCC. Postpartum changes in mammary secretions were not good predictors of bacterial mastitis. Physical examination of mammary glands did not reveal significant changes for the diagnosis of mastitis in the postpartum period.